Arianespace Flight 163: Launch delayed

During the final countdown operations for Flight 163 today, an anomaly occurred during a data checkpoint with the launcher.

As a result, Arianespace has decided to postpone the launch, with a new date to be announced later.

The launcher will be moved back to the Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building in order to correct the anomaly.

The launch vehicle and its Anik F2 satellite payload have been continuously maintained in a fully safe and controlled standby condition.